Gemstone almanac

Birthstones
by month

Compare the primary monthly stone with alternatives recognized in the Gemological Institute of America’s current guides.

Crystal tradition note: Spiritual meanings describe cultural or crystal beliefs. They are not medical effects, diagnoses, or treatment guidance.

01 JanuaryGarnet6.5-7.5 on Mohs scalePrimary GIA listing 02 FebruaryAmethyst7 on Mohs scalePrimary GIA listing 03 MarchAquamarine7.5-8 on Mohs scaleAlso: Bloodstone 04 AprilDiamond10 on Mohs scale (hardest)Primary GIA listing 05 MayEmerald7.5-8 on Mohs scalePrimary GIA listing 06 JunePearl2.5-4.5 on Mohs scale (soft)Also: Alexandrite, Moonstone 07 JulyRuby9 on Mohs scale (second hardest)Primary GIA listing 08 AugustPeridot6.5-7 on Mohs scaleAlso: Spinel, Sardonyx 09 SeptemberSapphire9 on Mohs scale (second hardest)Primary GIA listing 10 OctoberOpal5.5-6.5 on Mohs scale (fragile)Also: Tourmaline 11 NovemberTopaz8 on Mohs scaleAlso: Citrine 12 DecemberTanzanite6-7 on Mohs scaleAlso: Turquoise, Zircon

Modern vs traditional

All twelve months on both lists

Two birthstone lists are in common use. The modern American list was standardised by the National Association of Jewelers in 1912 and revised in 1952, 2002 and 2016. The older traditional list predates it and is still widely quoted. For 6 months (January, February, April, May, July, September) both lists name the same single stone. For 3 months (March, August, December) the modern list leads with a different stone entirely, so two sources can each be right and still disagree. For the remaining 3 (June, October, November) the traditional stone is still first, but the modern list recognises extra options.

Modern and traditional birthstones for every month, with the months where the two lists differ marked.
Month	Modern list	Traditional list	Headline answer
January	Garnet	Garnet	Same stone
February	Amethyst	Amethyst	Same stone
March	Aquamarine, Bloodstone	Bloodstone	Different stone
April	Diamond	Diamond	Same stone
May	Emerald	Emerald	Same stone
June	Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone	Pearl	Same, plus additions
July	Ruby	Ruby	Same stone
August	Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx	Sardonyx	Different stone
September	Sapphire	Sapphire	Same stone
October	Opal, Tourmaline	Opal	Same, plus additions
November	Topaz, Citrine	Topaz	Same, plus additions
December	Tanzanite, Turquoise, Zircon	Turquoise, Lapis lazuli	Different stone

The 1912 revision favoured transparent, faceted gems so jewellers could set several stones in one mother's ring, which is why opaque older choices such as bloodstone, sardonyx, opal, turquoise and lapis lazuli were displaced. The change was commercial rather than gemological, so neither list is more authoritative than the other.

Later additions: alexandrite for June, citrine for November and tourmaline for October in 1952; tanzanite for December in 2002; spinel for August in 2016. Current gemological guides therefore list several stones for those months rather than one.

Compare all months in the printable chart or find the stones for a birthday.

Reference before interpretation

Stone identity and care stay factual

Each guide separates mineral or gem facts and practical care from historical lore and modern crystal traditions.

Recognized alternatives and care references link to monthly GIA material. Lists can still differ by country, era, or jewelry organization.

Hardness figures are Mohs scratch resistance, which is not the same as toughness: a 9-hardness ruby can still chip, and a soft pearl or opal needs different handling from a diamond. Each month page carries care guidance for its own stones.